Tiruvannamalai gets auto stand for women drivers

Tiruvannamalai gets auto stand for women drivers Corporation authorities stated that around 250 sq.ft of space below a bridge at the entrance of the terminus was earmarked for the autorickshaw stand.

Key points

• According to Corporation authorities, around 250 sq.ft of space below a bridge at the entrance of the terminus was earmarked for the auto rickshaw stand.
• The initiative to provide a separate auto rickshaw stand for women drivers was the brainchild of Collector Vandana Garg.
• Auto rickshaw drivers protest against a separate auto rickshaw stand for women drivers at the new bus terminus in Tiruvannamalai town on Saturday.
• According to RTO authorities, adequate guidance will be provided to women drivers to follow norms that were outlined for maintaining an auto stand.
• Regular autorickshaw drivers staged a protest at the terminus against providing a separate auto stand for women drivers.

Auto rickshaw drivers protest against a separate auto rickshaw stand for women drivers at the new bus terminus in Tiruvannamalai town on Saturday. Photo Credit: Special Arrangement.

After almost a decade of driving autorickshaws, a group of women drivers secured a dedicated auto rickshaw stand for them at the newly opened ₹34-crore modern bus terminus on Chennai – Tindivanam Road on Saturday.

According to Authorities of the Department of Transport, the initiative was a joint effort of various stakeholders, including the State Highways Department, Tiruvannamalai Corporation, RTO, police and revenue department. "The initiative to provide a separate auto rickshaw stand for women drivers was the brainchild of Collector Vandana Garg. She instructed authorities to take necessary steps, " K. Balasubramanian, Commissioner, Tiruvannamalai Corporation, informed The Hindu.

"A dedicated auto rickshaw stand for women drivers helps us obtain more customers, especially women travellers. We thank the district administration for the backing, " stated G. Devi, an autorickshaw driver.

According to Corporation authorities, around 250 sq.ft of space below a bridge at the entrance of the terminus was earmarked for the auto rickshaw stand. They can employ the open space. It belongs to the State Highways Department, free of cost.

According to Corporation authorities, adequate lighting will be provided for the stand. As the terminus has a police outpost, regular police patrolling will additionally ensure safety of women autorickshaw drivers at the stand.

Meanwhile, regular autorickshaw drivers staged a protest at the terminus against providing a separate auto stand for women drivers. They asserted that such an initiative would affect their livelihood as numerous commuters, especially senior citizens and women, would prefer to travel in auto rickshaws run by women drivers. After authorities intervened, they dispersed peacefully. Published – September 05, 2026 11: 55 pm IST.

For now, tiruvannamalai gets auto stand for women drivers remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.